New England Conservatory

 

NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

General Information:

  1. Each applicant must have letters of recommendation submitted on his or her behalf.
  2. Recommenders may submit their letters either online or in hard copy (but should not submit both).
  3. NEC does not use a specific recommendation form; instead, recommenders should compose an original letter on the applicant's behalf.
  4. Recommendations are due December 15.
    1. Online: Applicants will enter the name and contact information for each recommender into the online application. Once the application has been submitted, instructions will be sent directly to each recommender. (Note: We will not accept recommendations sent directly to email accounts in the Office of Admission. All electronic recommendations must be submitted using the secure server.)
    2. Hard copy: Recommenders who prefer to send a hard copy should submit an original, signed letter in a sealed envelope with the recommender's signature across the flap. The applicant's name and proposed major should be included both in the letter and on the outside of the envelope. The recommender should also include his/her own name, address, and phone number. We prefer that hard copy letters be collected by the applicant and mailed together with all other supplemental application materials in one package to the Office of Admission, but recommendation letters should not delay the submission of those materials which are due December 1. Recommenders may choose to mail letters directly to NEC. Our mailing address is:
      1. New England Conservatory
        Office of Admission
        290 Huntington Avenue
        Boston, MA 02115

 

Undergraduate (Bachelor of Music & Undergraduate Diploma):

  1. Two recommendation letters are required.
    1. Artistic recommendation from your private studio teacher addressing your musical work to date and readiness to study music at a conservatory level. (If your private studio teacher is unable to write a recommendation, please ask another music teacher or ensemble leader.)
    2. Academic recommendation from a non-music teacher addressing your writing and cognitive abilities.

 

Graduate (Master of Music & Graduate Diploma):

  1. Two recommendation letters are required.
    1. Artistic Recommendation from your current private studio teacher
    2. Artistic Recommendation from another music teacher or ensemble director/coach

 

Graduate (Doctor of Musical Arts):

    • Three recommendation letters are required.
      • Please submit one artistic recommendation from your current or most recent private studio teacher and two additional artistic recommendations from other music teachers or ensemble directors/coaches.